[NLRS] 2m-440 Rigs

[w0zq at aol.com]

Hi Kirk -

This is a complex question that entails a lot of variables ... how you prioritize all those variables leads you to different answers.   For example, are you an appliance operator or do you like to dive in to work on interfaces and even customize software?  Roving, fixed, or both?  What bands?   Is FM important to you?  Contesting?   How big is your band account.   Etc, etc.  

For me, I like to contest so I need to be able to listen on three bands at one time; 6m, 2m and the microwave band (ie, 902, 1296, etc).   Bill, AWU, and others, have had good success using SDR-like radios so that they can not only listen on multiple bands simultaneously, they can "watch" them as well.  The SDR formats work well for this, much better than the older technology that is on the HF radios like the Icom Pro III's (which work very well on 6m).  So however you do it, you need to be able to listen on 6, 2, and your uW IF rig all at the same time.

Regarding radio performance, lots to consider.   Here in the big city we are close to lots and lots and lots of RF signal source including other in band VHF ops.   Dynamic range and strong signal handling capability is important.  We cannot use RF gain and preamps as easily as those who live out in the sticks.  Most 6 & 2m preamps are fairly wideband and those out of band, but adjacent, signals can be a problem on 6 & 2m.   Aiming your antenna up (EME) can help some, but for terrestrial, it is what it is.  

For 6 and 2m, from a performance perspective (ie, a blend of sensitivity, dynamic range, and selectivity), it will be hard to beat a quality transverter feeding a quality HF rig.   This was true years ago and its still true today.  Obviously some station integration is needed if you are going to use a transverter and its harder to take roving!   Check out the DownEast catalog at http://www.downeastmicrowave.com/cat-frame.htm & click on the 2m transverters and read up on their design and how their receive side is designed to address these issue.  Then, after transverter design discussons, the next discussion usually turns to what is the best IF (HF) rig to work with such a transverter.  There you will have the same topics/discussion as the HF guys have regarding the best noise blanker, operator controls, etc, etc.   Dynamic range for the IF rig is important too .... you don't want to spend money on a high performance transverter only to feed it into a crummy HF rig.

If you are willing to trade off some performance for convenience, its hard to beat the TS2000, FT897, etc, etc, style radios.  My experience is that where these radios tend to fail is in dynamic range and with birdies .... usually sensitivity is not an issue.  I suspect that both are due in large part to what also makes them such a marvalous rig ... they lack selectivity being more of an open receiver front end.   However, if you live out in the sticks with a low RF environment, you may find that these radios work just as well as the transverter route discussed above.  Note that the FT857 and FT897 are exactly the same radio with different external wrappings.  These are marvelous radios, often 160m through 440, that provide good performance in a plug and play way.  Currently my home station for 2, 222, and 432 is a FT897 that also forms the basis of my VHF+ rover station ... I use it both fixed and when roving.  That said, be aware that I am not active on EME or digital modes right now .... if I was I would be in the market for a good 2m transverter to feed my Pro III.   

For 902 and up, I use an old 2m monoband rig, the TR751A.  This also goes with me when roving.  Some have been using SDR IF rigs to help them find the other stations as frequency stability is sometimes an issue along with sharp beams and weak signals.  

So in summary, if you are looking for top performance for a fixed station, its hard to beat a transverter into a good IF rig.  That IF rig could be an SDR, or a top grade HF rig.   It depends on how much work you want to do on station/system integration; maybe both hardware and software.   For contesting, you need to be able to listen on 6 and 2m at the same time ... that means two radios.  If you run any of the uW bands, that means three, albeit you could use whatever your 6m rig is as a switchable IF on the uW bands too if you are willing to be off of 6m when your running uWs.   

Hope this helps !

73, Jon
W0ZQ